Assistant Communications Officer

Assistant Communications Officer

York Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assist in creating and delivering engaging communications across various channels.
  • Company: Join the Defra Group, dedicated to environmental protection and communication.
  • Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and contribute to meaningful projects.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in local communities while enhancing your communication skills.
  • Qualifications: Strong communication skills and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Overview

We are recruiting two Assistant Communications Officers within Defra Group Communications, working on Local Communications. Local Communications teams plan, deliver and evaluate strategic communications activity to help Defra, the Environment Agency, and Natural England deliver their organisational priorities. They also help to identify, plan for, and respond to incidents and high-risk reputational issues such as flooding, pollution, and disease outbreaks. Local communications teams work closely with operational delivery teams and other specialist communications teams to advise on, plan, and deliver communications activities that support behaviour change, warning and informing. Our teams manage reputation through our newsdesk that deals with live media enquiries. You will need to be able to develop good relationships with a wide range of staff and be a strong communicator. You\\\’ll be confident working across a range of channels and have experience in handling multiple streams of work simultaneously. You\\\’ll also have a passion for evaluation and be able to utilise evaluation tools to gather data and insights to support the team in showcasing the work we deliver.

  • Assisting with the creation and delivery of multi-channel communications plans across media, stakeholders and multiple channels, working with policy, operational and external delivery colleagues.
  • Supporting the evaluation of our communications to help us continually improve how we communicate with our target audiences.
  • Working with teams and external partners to create accurate and engaging content – news articles, op-eds, blogs and social media content such as graphics, videos, imagery – and repurposing this across a variety of channels.
  • Using digital and AI tools to provide issue monitoring, reporting and rebuttal advice to Defra and the arm\\\’s-length bodies (ALBs) Group Communications support.
  • Developing close working relationships within the wider communications team and key stakeholders across the business.
  • Contributing to a forward planner to support planning for key communications milestones.
  • Protecting and enhancing the reputation of Defra group by supporting colleagues with horizon scanning, issues management and internal communications.
  • Contributing to incident response communications rotas, including out of hours, delivering timely warning and informing messaging and public information to act.

Diversity and Disability Confident

Disability Confident A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

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Assistant Communications Officer employer: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Defra Group Communications is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can contribute to meaningful communications that impact the environment and public safety. With a strong focus on employee development, our culture encourages collaboration and innovation, providing opportunities for growth through diverse projects and training. Located in a vibrant area, we promote a healthy work-life balance and support initiatives that foster inclusivity and well-being among our staff.
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

Contact Detail:

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Communications Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Defra Group Communications on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills in action! If you’ve got a portfolio of your work—like articles, social media posts, or communication plans—bring it along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your experience and creativity.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for the unexpected! Brush up on potential crisis scenarios related to environmental issues. Being able to discuss how you’d handle a flooding or pollution incident will show you’re ready for the fast-paced world of communications.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at StudySmarter.

We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Communications Officer

Strong Communication Skills
Relationship Building
Multi-Channel Communications
Content Creation
Evaluation Tools
Digital Tools Proficiency
Issue Monitoring
Reporting Skills
Reputation Management
Incident Response Communications
Project Planning
Stakeholder Engagement
Adaptability
Time Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Communication: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for communications shine through! We want to see how you can engage with different audiences and convey messages effectively. Share examples of your past experiences that highlight your communication skills.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the Assistant Communications Officer role. We love it when candidates align their skills and experiences with our job description. Highlight your experience in multi-channel communications and any relevant projects you've worked on.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and long-winded explanations. Use bullet points where necessary to make your key achievements stand out!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, make sure you understand Defra's mission and the role of the Assistant Communications Officer. Familiarise yourself with recent communications campaigns and any current issues they’re facing, like flooding or pollution. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

As a communications officer, your ability to convey messages clearly is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex information in the past. Whether it’s through social media, blogs, or press releases, be ready to discuss your experience and how it aligns with the job requirements.

✨Be a Team Player

Highlight your experience working collaboratively with different teams. The role involves liaising with various stakeholders, so share specific instances where you’ve built strong relationships and worked effectively across departments. This will show that you can thrive in a team-oriented environment.

✨Emphasise Evaluation Skills

Since the role requires evaluating communication strategies, be prepared to discuss how you've used evaluation tools in previous roles. Share examples of how you gathered data and insights to improve communication efforts. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and commitment to continuous improvement.

Assistant Communications Officer
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Location: York
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